WESTCO and the Land O’ Lakes Foundation continued their support of local food pantries with a $10,000 donation to Panhandle Love in Action on Wednesday. The contribution was made possible by the Land O’ Lakes Foundation’s Member Coop Match Program, Feeding Our Communities, which focuses specifically on helping alleviate hunger in rural America.

The Member Co-op Match Program matches dollar-for-dollar the cash donation of member cooperatives, thus doubling the funds available for hometown projects and programs.

“As a part of our commitment to rural communities where Land O’Lakes, Inc. members, employees and facilities are located, Land O’Lakes Foundation is pleased to match donations by member cooperatives which help enhance the quality of life in their local communities,” said Lydia Botham, Executive Director for the Land O’Lakes Foundation.

WESTCO General Manager David Briggs added, “WESTCO is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Land O’ Lakes once again in supporting local food pantries. Panhandle Love in Action continues to provide a vital service year-round and we hope these funds can help them with their goals of alleviating hunger in the community.”

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

06-Feb-2019 / Scottsbluff PD

On 2/5/19 at approximately 21:43, Scottsbluff Police responded to the intersection of Hwy 26 and 5th Ave in reference to an injury accident involving two vehicles. The investigation found that a blue 2005 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Austin Rhamy (20) of Scottsbluff and a gray 2004 GMC Yukon driven by Raquel Wurdeman (23) of Gering were involved in the accident. It was found that the Chrysler was north bound on 5th Ave and the GMC was east bound on Hwy 26. The Chrysler and GMC collided in the intersection. Both drivers reported they each had the green traffic signal in their respective directions of travel. There were no witnesses on scene to confirm which direction of travel had the green traffic signal. Both vehicles were estimated to have $7000 in damages. Both vehicles were required to be towed from the scene. Wurdeman and one passenger in the GMC had complaints of pain, but declined to be transported by ambulance for treatment. Scottsbluff Fire Department and Valley Ambulance responded to the accident. Eastbound lanes of Hwy 26 at 5th Ave were closed for approximately 45 minutes while the accident was investigated.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

05-Feb-2019 / Ap

KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities are trying to find the mother who left her newborn male twins after their birth at a central Nebraska hospital.

Kearney police officers were sent to CHI Good Samaritan hospital Monday afternoon and learned the mother had provided false information to the hospital when she was admitted. The babies were born Saturday.

The twins have been placed in state custody. Police investigators are working with the hospital and state Health and Human Services Department officials on identifying the boys' mother.

It's not clear whether the mother left her boys at the hospital under provisions of the state's safe haven law. Nebraska lawmakers approved the law in 2008 to protect newborns from abandonment.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

05-Feb-2019 / Ap

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Backers of an effort to legalize medical marijuana in Nebraska have filed formal paperwork for a statewide ballot campaign.

State Sens. Anna Wishart and Adam Morfeld, of Lincoln, are co-chairing the effort to place the issue on the 2020 ballot.

Wishart has introduced a bill that would allow lawmakers to legalize the drug for medicinal purposes, but it faces stiff opposition from state and local law enforcement, Gov. Pete Ricketts and prominent Nebraskans including former Husker football coach Tom Osborne.

Legalization supporters have said they will pursue the ballot campaign if lawmakers don't pass a measure this year.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

05-Feb-2019 / Ap

CHAPPELL, Neb. (AP) — A murder charge has been filed against a woman accused of stabbing a man outside a mobile home in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Deuel County District Court records say 49-year-old Susan Glenn was charged Friday with first-degree murder and a weapons crime. A woman who answered the phone Tuesday at her attorney's office said there would be no comment from the attorney. Glenn's next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21.

Glenn had been charged with assault and use of a weapon.

The court records say a witness who'd been standing outside the home talking to Robert Mick on Jan. 13 in Chappell was on the phone with 911 dispatchers when Glenn came out of the residence, stabbed Mick and fled in her car. He died four days later.

The records say she's acknowledged to investigators that she stabbed Mick.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

30-Jan-2019 / Ap

COLUMBUS, Neb. (AP) — A 19-year-old driver is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 26 for the Platte County crash death of a motorcyclist.

The records say the collision occurred Aug. 2 at the intersection of Nebraska Highway 91 and 490th Street. The records say her minivan collided with the motorcycle driven by 22-year-old Joshua Gasper, of Columbus. He died days later of his injuries.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

30-Jan-2019 / Ap

CAMBRIDGE, Neb. (AP) — A March 4 sentencing hearing is scheduled for two 18-year-olds accused of planning to attack a high school in south-central Nebraska.

Furnas County Court records say Joseph Williams, of Oxford, and Aron McMains, of North Platte, pleaded no contest Monday to misdemeanor attempted terroristic threats. Prosecutors had lowered the charges from felony counts.

Court records say Williams, McMains and two 17-year-old boys had been discussing an attack on Cambridge High School for months. When one student transferred to a different school, they tried to recruit another student.

One of the students told police he thought the plan was a joke but wasn't sure whether the others felt that way.

Both 17-year-olds are seeking to be prosecuted as juveniles.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

30-Jan-2019 / Ap

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A personal loan company in Nebraska is once again asking lawmakers to raise the maximum interest rate it can charge customers.

A representative for OneMain Financial spoke in favor of a bill Tuesday that would allow lenders to charge interest of up to 29 percent per annum. Current law lets lenders charge up to 24 percent per annum on principal amounts up to $1,000, and 21 percent per annum on any remaining unpaid balance.

The bill drew sharp criticism last year from some lawmakers. Sen. Ernie Chambers, of Omaha, said the measure would benefit "cutthroat gougers."

Company officials say they face intense competitive pressure from online, out-of-state lenders that can charge higher rates on so-called installment loans. They say they've closed 11 branches in the last decade.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

30-Jan-2019 / Ap

TALMAGE, Neb. (AP) — Law enforcement officials in southeastern Nebraska have safely destroyed a live grenade found in a trash bin.

The Nebraska State Patrol says the grenade was found Monday in a dumpster in Talmage as the home of person who had died was being cleaned out. The Otoe County Sheriff's Office, which was initially contacted about the grenade, called the patrol's bomb squad for help.

The patrol squad used a counter charge Monday night to destroy the grenade. No one was injured.

The patrol used the incident to remind people who find an explosive device not to touch it and immediately call emergency responders.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Your browser does not support the audio element.

-

28-Jan-2019 / Governor Office Media Release

LINCOLN – Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the agenda for the 31st Governor’s Ag Conference, which brings together ag producers, industry leaders and agri-business managers in Nebraska on an annual basis to talk about the future of agriculture. The conference is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, March 4-5, 2019, at the Younes Conference Center in Kearney.

“For 31 years, the Governor’s Ag Conference has been a premiere forum for Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and industry leaders to come together to discuss agriculture and how to keep growing our state’s number one industry,” said Governor Ricketts. “We hope you can join us to talk about the future of agriculture in Nebraska. It’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss.”

“We’ve asked industry experts at the local, state and federal level to lead discussions at this year’s Governor’s Ag Conference and share their knowledge and experience with producers and agribusiness leaders from around the state,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Steve Wellman. “Conference speakers and attendees can use this opportunity to connect with colleagues and prepare for the future.”

The conference starts Monday, March 4, 2019, at 3:30 p.m. with a panel presentation featuring Nebraska entrepreneurs and recruiters. The panel includes representatives from three innovative Nebraska companies and three organizations involved heavily in recruiting companies to Nebraska.

On the entrepreneur side, the panelists are Vishal Singh with Quantified Ag; Lukas Fricke with ChorChek; and Mitch Minarick with FARMAFIELD. These speakers will discuss their companies, goals, visions and why they chose Nebraska communities to start their businesses.

The three people representing recruitment success are: Phil Kozera with Bio Nebraska; Dan Duncan with Innovation Campus; and Bryan Slone with the Nebraska State Chamber. They will discuss their efforts in recruiting and how to find and attract startups as well as how to connect to established industries.

Governor Ricketts will moderate this panel presentation that will include questions and answers from the audience.

The annual “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception, at 6 p.m. on March 4th will feature an assortment of food and beverages from Nebraska.

The conference resumes on Tuesday, March 5, 2019, at 9 a.m. with a presentation from Jim Smith, executive director of Blueprint Nebraska, an organization that is spearheading a statewide, citizen-led economic development initiative.

Governor Ricketts, NDA Director Wellman and Nebraska Department of Economic Development Director Dave Rippe will update conference participants on legislative initiatives in agriculture and highlight the work being done between state agencies to grow Nebraska. This panel presentation will be moderated by NDA Assistant Director Amelia Breinig.

Next on the agenda will be Jim Wiesemeyer, with Pro Farmer, giving participants an update on the national farm bill and how it will impact farmers and ranchers nationwide as well as here in Nebraska.

The Governor's Ag Conference is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and is co-sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America. A $125 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Monday and Tuesday. Registration and additional information is available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.